The Three Degrees

The Three Degrees Artistfacts

  • 1963-
    Fayette Pinkney1963-1976
    Linda Turner 1963
    Shirley Porter1963
    Helen Scott1963–66, 1976–present
    Valerie Holiday1967–present
    Sheila Ferguson1966-1986
    Freddie Pool2011–present
  • The Three Degrees were formed in 1963 in Philadelphia. The trio were discovered by producer and songwriter Richard Barrett, who produced their first single, "Gee Baby (I'm Sorry)", a #80 hit in 1965.
  • When Freddie Pool joined The Three Degrees in 2011, she was their fifteenth different member. The most successful lineup from 1967 to 1976 was Fayette Pinkney, Valerie Holiday and Sheila Ferguson, with the latter singing lead.
  • The group appeared in the 1971 Oscar-winning movie The French Connection. Their cameo was filmed during one of their appearances at the Copacabana nightclub in New York, where they sung Jimmy Webb's "Everybody Gets to Go to the Moon."
  • The Three Degrees signed with Philadelphia International Records under Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in 1973. Their first recording with the label was the US #1 hit "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)," which was the theme song for the TV show Soul Train.
  • The Three Degrees were dubbed Charlie's Angels after it emerged the Prince of Wales was one of their biggest fans. They performed their best known song "When Will I See You Again" at Prince Charles' 30th birthday bash at Buckingham Palace in 1977.
  • Apart from Nancy Reagan, The Three Degrees were the only American guests at Charles and Diana's wedding in 1981.
  • "When Will I See You Again" was The Three Degrees' last of three US Top 40 hits. However, their success in the UK lasted longer, during which they clocked up a total of 11 Top 40 hits. The American trio's run on the other side of the Atlantic ended with "My Simple Heart" in 1979.

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